Neutralizing: meaning, definitions and examples

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neutralizing

 

[ ˈnjuːtrəlaɪzɪŋ ]

Verb / Noun
Context #1 | Verb

chemistry

To make a substance neutral, especially by adding an acid or a base. Neutralizing is often used in the process of making a solution or a mixture chemically balanced.

Synonyms

balancing, counteracting, stabilizing.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
neutralizing

Repeats of previously defined usage regarding rendering something ineffective or harmless.

  • Military forces were deployed for neutralizing the threat at the border.
  • The scientist worked on neutralizing the compound's harmful effects.
balancing

Used to describe maintaining or restoring equilibrium, often referring to financial statements, emotions, or physical objects.

  • She is balancing her career and family life very well.
  • The accountant worked on balancing the company's budget.
stabilizing

Used to describe the act of making something stable or steady, frequently in medical, economic, or structural contexts.

  • The medication is essential for stabilizing his heart rate.
  • Government interventions are crucial for stabilizing the national economy.
counteracting

Used when taking action to reduce or prevent the effects of something, typically negative. Often appears in medical, environmental, or strategic contexts.

  • The new policy aims at counteracting the rise in unemployment.
  • Antioxidants are known for their ability to counteract the damaging effects of free radicals.

Examples of usage

  • The chemist was neutralizing the acid with a base to create a pH-neutral solution.
  • Neutralizing the toxic waste before disposal is crucial for environmental safety.
Context #2 | Noun

social sciences

The act of making something neutral or less extreme, especially in conflict resolution or diplomacy. It involves finding common ground and reducing tensions between opposing parties.

Synonyms

conciliation, mediation, reconciliation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
neutralizing

Use in situations where you want to make something less harmful or effective, often used in scientific, military, or strategic contexts.

  • The chemicals are neutralizing the harmful effects of the toxin.
  • The antivirus software is effective in neutralizing the latest threats.
mediation

Used when a neutral third party is helping to resolve a dispute or find a compromise between conflicting parties, commonly used in legal, business, or interpersonal contexts.

  • The family sought mediation to resolve the inheritance dispute.
  • Mediation can be an effective alternative to going to court.
conciliation

Appropriate in situations where you are trying to bring about agreement or peace between conflicting parties, often used in formal or legal contexts.

  • The company's efforts at conciliation were successful, and the strike was averted.
  • Conciliation meetings were held to resolve the dispute amicably.
reconciliation

Applicable in situations where restoring friendly relations or healing a broken relationship is the goal, often used in personal, social, or political contexts.

  • The reconciliation between the estranged brothers was heartwarming.
  • The country is working towards reconciliation after years of civil war.

Examples of usage

  • The neutralizing of tensions between the two countries led to successful peace talks.
  • Her neutralizing approach helped de-escalate the situation and find a compromise.

Translations

Translations of the word "neutralizing" in other languages:

🇵🇹 neutralizando

🇮🇳 तटस्थ करना

🇩🇪 neutralisieren

🇮🇩 menetralisirkan

🇺🇦 нейтралізація

🇵🇱 neutralizowanie

🇯🇵 中和する (ちゅうわする)

🇫🇷 neutraliser

🇪🇸 neutralizando

🇹🇷 nötrleştirme

🇰🇷 중화하다

🇸🇦 تحييد

🇨🇿 neutralizace

🇸🇰 neutralizovanie

🇨🇳 中和 (zhōnghé)

🇸🇮 nevtralizacija

🇮🇸 að hlutleysa

🇰🇿 бейтараптандыру

🇬🇪 ნეიტრალიზაცია

🇦🇿 neytrallaşdırma

🇲🇽 neutralizando

Etymology

The word 'neutralizing' originates from the term 'neutralize', which dates back to the early 19th century. It is formed from the word 'neutral', meaning not favoring any side in a conflict, and the suffix '-ize', indicating the action of making something neutral. The concept of neutralizing has been widely used in various fields, from chemistry to social sciences, to denote the process of achieving balance or reducing extremes.

See also: neutralizer.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #17,727, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.